The Climate Meteorology & Atmospheric Science (CliMAS) Graduate Student Organization (GSO) consists of six elected graduate students within the Department of Atmospheric Sciences who serve as officers for one academic year with the primary goal of bringing students and faculty together to improve all aspects of the graduate student experience. To this end, we organize social events, participate in faculty meetings, give input concerning graduate affairs, and select a student' choice seminar speaker every semester. Read our Constitution and Bylaws for more details about CliMAS GSO procedures.

Some of the events CliMAS GSO coordinates throughout the year include a Fall BBQ, monthly payday lunches, a department picnic each semester, and a Holiday party in December!

CliMAS GSO also works closely with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to help further the Department Strategic Plan which seeks to “foster the value of a diverse and inclusive academic department by increasing underrepresented groups within our student body and faculty.” In particular, CliMAS GSO worked with faculty to create our Graduate Ambassador program which acts as a resource for prospective graduate students.

We also maintain a list of resources for current graduate students: check it out here!

Follow us on Twitter: @CliMASGSO_UIUC

2024-2025 CliMAS GSO Officers:

• President: Joseph Nied
  • Oversees and coordinates all CliMAS GSO activities
  • Leads board meetings & materials
  • Manages responsibilities of board members
  • Serves as CliMAS GSO representative at faculty meetings
• Vice President: Jackie Sepulveda
  • Coordinates new student mentoring program
  • Manages social media accounts
  • Assists coordinating social events
• Treasurer: Sam Frederick
  • Collects and manages student dues and CliMAS GSO finances
  • Provides budgets for social events
  • Assists coordinating social events
• Secretary: Matthew Graber
  • Maintains CliMAS GSO materials
  • Maintains CliMAS GSO website
  • Communicates social events 
  • Assists coordinating social events
• DEI Liaison: Xiaotian Xu
  • Coordinates international buddy program
  • Organizes international-focused events
  • Serves on department DEI committee
  • Assists coordinating social events
• New Student Liaison: Sarah Henry
  • Reports and manages new students’ concerns to CliMAS GSO board
  • Help new students' transition to graduate school
  • Assists coordinating social events